Every SEAT Safety Recall In The UK, By Model And Year, With What Each Fault Means And How To Get It Fixed
SEAT has 72 UK safety recalls in DVSA records, including 27 since 2020. The most common recent faults involve airbags, takata airbags and seat belts. Enter your registration to check your SEAT; you won't usually pay for a recall repair at a franchised SEAT dealer.1
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
Airbags are the main recall issue for SEAT owners in the UK. The largest recent SEAT recall, R/2023/273, replaces the front driver's airbag on the Alhambra, Ateca, Ibiza, Leon and Toledo, covering 52,322 vehicle-records, and R/2024/160 followed for the Alhambra, Altea and Leon. In 2025 SEAT issued a stop-drive recall, R/2025/348, for older Alhambra, Altea, Exeo and Leon models with Takata front airbags, so owners of those cars should check their registration today and not drive if the letter says so. See Takata airbag recalls and do not drive recalls. The Exeo, a car SEAT sold from 2009 to 2013, also had a passenger airbag recall in 2025 (R/2025/391). Newer models have smaller recalls, such as an airbag control unit wiring harness on the Formentor and Leon (R/2022/185). SEAT shares parts with Volkswagen, Škoda and Cupra. Any SEAT dealer can check your VIN.
Latest SEAT Recalls
These are the newest SEAT recalls registered with DVSA, newest first.
72 recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Vehicles | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TerramarReplacement front seat belt | 101 | Urgent | R/2026/295 | |
| Cupra BornBattery check | 1,886 | Urgent | R/2026/153 | |
| Roof BOX Cupra Part Number 000 071 200 AKCUPRA Roof Box | 67 | Low | R/2025/437 | |
| ExeoPassenger airbag replacement | 8,632 | Urgent | R/2025/391 | |
| Alhambra, Altea, Exeo, LeonTakata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement | 77 | Stop driving | R/2025/348 | |
| Arona, IbizaPassenger airbag replacement | 210 | Urgent | R/2025/230 | |
| ExeoPassenger airbag replacement | 8 | Urgent | R/2024/437 | |
| Alhambra, Altea, Leon, ToledoDrivers side front airbag | 1,813 | Urgent | R/2024/285 | |
| Alhambra, Altea, LeonDriver's side front airbag | 20,412 | Urgent | R/2024/160 | |
| TarracoReplacement of curtain airbag | 322 | Urgent | R/2024/116 | |
| Cupra Formentor, Cupra LeonOn certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment | 2,499 | Urgent | R/2024/026 | |
| Cupra Formentor, LeonIn certain vehicles within a range of specified VINs it has been detected that an engine support that did not receive the correct heat treatment may have been fitted | 43 | Low | R/2023/294 | |
| Alhambra, Ateca, Ibiza, Leon and 1 moreFront driver airbag replacement | 52,322 | Urgent | R/2023/273 | |
| TarracoPossibility that four of the six welding points on the bottom connection of the impact beam for the rear left door are too small | 4 | Book soon | R/2023/200 | |
| FormentorDefective wheel supports may fail prematurely and break | 379 | Book soon | R/2023/199 | |
| Cupra FormentorThere is a possibility that impact sensors for rear airbags have been installed that do not correspond to the documented parts | 2 | Urgent | R/2023/047 | |
| Formentor, LeonThe wiring harness of the airbag control unit may possibly have been caught by the clutch pedal during installation | 10,145 | Urgent | R/2022/185 | |
| Formentor, Leon, TarracoIn some vehiclesthe fuse in the high-voltage system has been produced in part with an insufficient amount of extinguishing sand | 2,347 | Urgent | R/2022/088 | |
| Ateca, Formentor, Leon, TarracoEngine design covers could detach from their fixing | 2,309 | Low | R/2022/076 | |
| LeonIt is possible that the rear knuckle fastening screw does not have the corrct tightening torque | 5 | Low | R/2021/407 | |
| Cupra FormentorThe input rod bolt connection between the electronic brake servo and the brake pedal may come loose | 1 | Urgent | R/2021/322 | |
| Cupra Formentor, LeonThe front seat belts are not properly anchored | 346 | Urgent | R/2021/324 | |
| Cupra FormentorThe front assist is not configured correctly | 55 | Low | R/2021/009 | |
| E-MiiDamaged battery cells could have been installed in the high voltage battery which could lead to a thermail overload | 2 | Urgent | R/2020/348 | |
| Arona, IbizaThe bracket of the double belt buckle may have been damaged during the forming process | 81 | Urgent | R/2020/113 | |
| IbizaThe engine oil may possibly reach the brake servo through the vacuum hose | 860 | Urgent | R/2020/090 | |
| TarracoThe fuel tank walls may not be to the correct thickness | 7 | Urgent | R/2020/031 | |
| AlhambraA condenser may fail due to inadequate heat treatment in the airbag control unit | 1,634 | Urgent | R/2019/422 | |
| Ateca, LeonPossible fault in a turn signal | 23,732 | Low | R/2019/356 | |
| Ateca, TarracoAt low engine speeds the engine produces insufficient torque | 2,042 | Low | R/2019/305 | |
| LeonThe inlet camshaft adjuster pulley is liable to break | 1,383 | Urgent | R/2019/262 | |
| Ateca, TarracoCracks in the right side of the seat frame/pan | 122 | Low | R/2019/230 | |
| Arona, Ateca, Ibiza, Leon and 1 moreThe driver's air bag may not inflate fast enough in the event of activation | 50 | Urgent | R/2019/157 | |
| AtecaInternal safety pins may be missing from the rear seat centre headrest | 2,477 | Low | R/2019/078 | |
| Arona, IbizaThe adjusted handbrake lever travel for parking can increase | 19,854 | Urgent | R/2019/039 | |
| AtecaPossible deviations in a weld in the rear seats | 2 | Low | R/2018/353 | |
| Arona, IbizaThe left rear seat belt double buckle may unfasten involuntarily | 30,794 | Urgent | R/2018/138 | |
| AtecaElectric parking brake can be unintentionally released when disengaging the clutch pedal | 4,243 | Urgent | R/2018/313 | |
| AtecaThe inclination of the left headlight may be adjusted at an incorrect angle | 2,290 | Book soon | R/2018/312 | |
| Alhambra, Altea, Ibiza, LeonStarter motor may malfunction and overheat | 1,943 | Urgent | R/2018/060 | |
| AlhambraPassenger airbag may not deploy as intended | 24 | Urgent | R/2018/032 | |
| MIITowing eye may be defetcive | 3,697 | Low | R/2018/005 | |
| AtecaRear wheel bearing housings may fail | 4 | Book soon | R/2017/304 | |
| IbizaSteering column uj pinch bolt mat not be tightened to correct specification | 187 | Urgent | R/2017/237 | |
| Altea, LeonAbs/esc system may fail | 9,703 | Urgent | R/2017/216 | |
| ToledoParts of the front seat belt pretensioner(s) pyrotechnical system could enter the cabin | 35 | Urgent | R/2017/212 | |
| IbizaAir conditioning high pressure hose may be fitted incorrectly | 20 | Low | R/2017/201 | |
| Ibiza, Leon, MII, ToledoManual child lock may disengage without warning | 1,334 | Book soon | R/2016/180 | |
| AlhambraSide airbag gas generator canister may fail | 35 | Urgent | R/2016/064 | |
| MIIDriver's airbag may not deploy correctly | 10 | Urgent | R/2015/175 | |
| IbizaFuel may leak | 7,964 | Urgent | R/2014/148 | |
| MIISide airbag diagnostic function disabled | 872 | Urgent | R/2013/058 | |
| IbizaBonnet may not close properly | 24,789 | Book soon | R/2012/073 | |
| Altea, LeonFuel may leak | 65 | Urgent | R/2011/168 | |
| Altea, LeonClutch may operate inadvertently with unexpected loss of drive | 52 | Urgent | R/2009/111 | |
| Cordoba, IbizaHead airbag may fail to activate under certain collision conditions | 331 | Urgent | R/2007/116 | |
| AlhambraTwin-mass flywheel may fail and result in a vehicle fire | 1,085 | Urgent | R/2006/059 | |
| Altea, Leon, ToledoFlywheel may fail | 1,477 | Urgent | R/2006/033 | |
| Alhambra, Altea Toledo, Cordoba, Ibiza and 2 moreBolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break | 5,492 | Urgent | R/2004/212 | |
| Cordoba, Ibiza, Inca, Leon and 2 moreTension cracks may occur on the vacuum pipe to the servo | 26,886 | Urgent | R/2004/202 | |
| IncaBrake servo vacuum pipe may crack and leak | 373 | Urgent | R/2003/110 | |
| AlhambraWindscreen wiper motor may fail | 437 | Book soon | R/2002/046 | |
| ArosaBrake vacuum supply pipe concern | 7,113 | Urgent | R/2002/081 | |
| LeonAnti lock brake control unit concern | 1,412 | Urgent | R/2002/032 | |
| AlhambraPotential failure of battery charging circuit | 113 | Low | R/1998/107 | |
| AlhambraOverheating of brake pads | 463 | Urgent | R/1996/112 | |
| ToledoInsecurity of fan blade | 64 | Urgent | R/1996/011 | |
| ToledoSeizure of cooling fan motor | 1,509 | Urgent | R/1996/010 | |
| MarbellaPossible short circuit/fire risk | 1,200 | Urgent | R/1995/006 | |
| IbizaLeakage from fuel filler pipe | 35,235 | Urgent | R/1994/018 | |
| ToledoPossible brake pipe chafing on certain models | 800 | Urgent | R/1993/026 | |
| ToledoABS wiring modification | 713 | Urgent | R/1992/073 |
Open any reference for the build dates covered, the fix and what to do. Urgency labels follow our published rules.
SEAT Recalls By Model
Choose your model to see only its recalls. The Leon, Ibiza and Ateca have the most SEAT recall references since 2015.
- Leon16
- Ibiza11
- Ateca11
- Alhambra8
- Tarraco7
- Cupra Formentor6
- Altea5
- Arona5
- Toledo5
- Formentor4
- Exeo3
- MII3
- Terramar1
- Cupra Born1
- Roof BOX Cupra Part Number 000 071 200 AK1
- Cupra Leon1
- E-Mii1
Some models have their own page with a full recall history: SEAT Arona, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Leon. A recall can cover only certain build dates or engines, so confirm with SEAT by VIN. See where to find your VIN.
How Many Recalls Has SEAT Had?
Since 2020 SEAT has launched 27 UK recalls. Adjusted for its cars on the road, that is 4.2 car recalls per 100,000 licensed cars.
The per-car figure divides car recalls since 2020 by the number of SEAT cars licensed in the UK in 2026 Q2, with van-only recalls removed.2 A higher count doesn't mean a car is less reliable: it reflects the size of the range, how vans are counted and how readily a maker recalls. See which car makes have the most recalls.
The Most Common SEAT Recall Faults
Recent SEAT recalls most often involve airbags, takata airbags and seat belts.
- Airbags11
- Takata airbags4
- High-voltage battery3
- Seat belts3
- Brakes3
- Fire risk2
- Doors and latches1
- Fuel leaks1
- Other airbag inflators1
- Wheels and tyres1
A recall can involve more than one type of fault, so the rows overlap. 10% of SEAT recalls include a software update, often done in under an hour. Each fault type links to a page explaining the warning signs and what to do.
Biggest SEAT Recalls Since 2020
The largest recent SEAT recall is R/2023/273 (front driver airbag replacement), covering about 52,322 vehicle-records.
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Vehicles | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT Alhambra, Ateca, Ibiza, Leon and 1 moreFront driver airbag replacement | 52,322 | Urgent | R/2023/273 | |
| SEAT Alhambra, Altea, LeonDriver's side front airbag | 20,412 | Urgent | R/2024/160 | |
| SEAT Formentor, LeonThe wiring harness of the airbag control unit may possibly have been caught by the clutch pedal during installation | 10,145 | Urgent | R/2022/185 | |
| SEAT ExeoPassenger airbag replacement | 8,632 | Urgent | R/2025/391 | |
| SEAT Cupra Formentor, Cupra LeonOn certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment | 2,499 | Urgent | R/2024/026 |
Vehicle-records are the manufacturer's estimates, and one car can appear in several recalls.
SEAT Stop-drive Recalls
1 SEAT recall in DVSA's data told keepers not to drive until the repair was done.
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Vehicles | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT Alhambra, Altea, Exeo, LeonTakata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement | 77 | R/2025/348 |
If your car is in a stop-drive recall, don't use it, and ask SEAT to collect it. See do not drive recalls.
How To Get A SEAT Recall Fixed
Book with any franchised SEAT dealer using your VIN and the campaign code on your letter. The work is normally free, and the dealer records it with SEAT.1
| SEAT customer or recall line | 08085 222 222 (Customer Services) |
| Opening hours | Mon to Fri 8:30 to 5:30 |
| talkto@seatcars.co.uk | |
| Last checked | 15 October 2026 |
Have your VIN, registration, mileage and the code from your letter ready. See manufacturer recall helplines and how long a recall repair takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are SEAT Recalls Free?
Yes. You won't usually pay for a safety recall repair.1 See do you have to pay for a recall?.
Do SEAT Recalls Expire?
No. A recall stays in force for any car that wasn't fixed, even after it is closed for reporting.3 See do car recalls expire?.
Can I Drive My SEAT With An Open Recall?
Follow your letter. Most recalls let you drive until the repair; a stop-drive notice doesn't. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
What Does The Code On My SEAT Letter Mean?
It is SEAT's campaign reference. Look it up with our recall code lookup.
Data: DVSA vehicle recall data (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 15 October 2026.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- Models with fewer than 5 refs show lists, not rates.
- Code timelines: Producers normally respond to DVSA within 28 days (5.5); DVSA reviews are typically monthly (5.4). DVSA must be notified "as soon as the safety defect has been confirmed" (6.1). 3 notifications per motorist is seen as reasonable (8.3). Response rates are reported every three months (11.1).